Emergence: Morphogenetic Design Strategies (Architectural Design) [Paperback]

Michael Hensel (Editor), Achim Menges (Editor), Michael Weinstock (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0470866888 | ISBN-13: 978-0470866887 | Publication Date: July 26, 2004 | Edition: 1

Emergence is an important new concept in artificial intelligence, information theory, digital technology, economics, climate studies, material science and biometric engineering.

It is a development which is set to inform not only the construction of buildings, but also the composition of new materials. As a new science, coupled with material and technological innovations, it is set to enter architecture into a new phase of transition.

This book presents an account of related developments in artificial intelligence and evolutionary computation, and shows how these developments are being incorporated into new architectures.

• This book marks the introduction of a new topic in design
• Includes high quality CAD images
• Accompanies a travelling exhibition, showing in Oslo and Copenhagen
• Includes interviews with Frei Otto and a review of the Advanced Geometry Group at Ove Arup and Partners

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Emergence, or evolutionary optimisation, is an important new concept that in recent years has been applied to artificial intelligence, information theory, digital technology, economics, climate studies, material science and biometric engineering. In an architectural context it involves harnessing evolutionary processes for not only the design of buildings, but also the composition of new materials and structural design. In so doing, architecture is aspiring to a new level of complexity as it seeks to match the restless perfection of systems in the natural world.

This title is compiled by Michael Hensel, Achim Menges and Michael Weinstock, the directors of the Emergence and Design Group and the new Emergent Technologies and Design masters programme at the Architectural Association (aa) in London. At the aa the group is leading an international research-based unit that is at the very forefront in the tectonic application of emergence. As well as featuring the group' own work, this publication includes interviews with Frei Otto; Farshid Moussavi and Alejandro Zaera Polo of Foreign Office Architects (foa); and Charles Walker, leader of the Advanced Geometry Unit (agu) at Arup. It also features articles by Professor George Jeronimidis from the Centre for Biomimetics at Reading University, and Johann Sischka, managing director of Waagner Biro, the manufacturing contractor renowned for its complex geometry constructions.

About the Author

Michael Hensel, Achim Menges and Michael Weinstock are co-cirectors of the Emergent Technologies programme at the Architectural Association Graduate School in London. Michael Hensel is a partner in the experimental award-winning practice Ocean NORTH and Michael Weinstock is Master of Technical Studies at the Architectural Association. The activities of the newly Emergent Technologies programme has already attracted considerable interest internationally with their launch exhibition at the Architectural Association in March 2003. CORUS, British Steel, have also confirmed a commitment to sponsoring the unit’s research. The publication  is planned to co-incide with a travelling exhibition that will help to promote the issue.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Academy Press; 1 edition (July 26, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470866888
• ISBN-13: 978-0470866887
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 0.4 x 11.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #861,390 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)